Golf-club attachment.



E. G. MORLEY.

GOLF CLUB ATTACHMENT.

APPLICATION FILED IEB.10, 1913.

Patented Oct. 7, 1913.

UNITED STATES PATENT orricn.

EDWARD GEORGE MORLEY, OF MALVEBN, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA.

GOLF-CLUB ATTACHMENT.

specification of Letters Patent.

Patented ot.7,1913.

Application filed February 10, 1913. Serial No. 747,413.

I specification.

This invention relates to golf'clubs and like devices which, in use, it"1s desirable to retain firmly in thehand.

Hitherto the shaft of a golf stick or club has sometimes had attachedthereto devices of various construction to assist a player in graspingthe club and in perfecting his aim. These devices have sometimesconsisted of resilient sleeves and the like so that the shaft may begrasped in such a manner that better control is "obtained over it andmore of the players attention may be given to striking the ball.

The object of this invention is to provide a simple, light, strong anddurable combination finger stop and grip which can be easily applied toany golf clubor similar implements. In use it does not harass either thefingers or ,hands of the player, may readily accustom itself todifferent grips and enables a player to correctly position the shaft ofthe club in the hand in an instant without any doubt. In addition thestick or club cannot slip. in the hand at a critical moment.

With the invention the player knows by the feel as -to whether theposition he has acquired of the shaft of the'club is a correct one bothlongitudinally and circumferen tially. In order that the aim may becorrect the club shaft must occupy a certain predetermined position inthe hands, and this is facilitated by the invention thereby assuringresults which are often unobtainable otherwise.

Referring to the drawings which form a Fig. 4 is a perspectivo" viewofone form of adjusting device. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of anotherform of adjusting device. Fig. 6 is a view showing portion of the stopand grip secured to'porticn of the handle of a stick or club by anadjusting device. Fig. 7 is a vieughf another form of stop and gripdivided longitudinally and embracing portion of the handle of a stick orclub. Fig. 8 is a view of Fig. 7

looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 9 is a View of Fig. 8looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 10 is a plan of the stop andgrip seen in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. Fig.

11 is a view of a modification of the stop and grip seen in Fig. 7retained to'portion of the handle of a stick or club by holding devicesof the kind seen in Fig. 5. Fig. 12 is a part sectional perspective viewof a divided adjusting tapered sleeve. Fig. 13 is a View showing a stopand grip of the character seen in Figs. 7 to 11 but in one piece andretained to portion of a stick or handle by the sleeve seen in Fig. 12.Fig. 14 is a sectional view of a modified form of stop and grip of thekind seen in Figs. 7 to 10 and having a multiplicity of fingerseparators. The retention screws are shown diametrically opposite thefinger separators for convenience of illustration. Fig. 15 is a view, ona reduced scale, showing the use of the stop and grip seen in Figs. 1 to3 in conjunction with the stop and grip seen in Figs. 7 to 10.

The invention includes the handle .2 of a golf stick or club or similarinstrument. This is of tapered or coned conformation. Wound around orupon the upper end or handle of the stick or club is a leather or otherthong 3. This is usual practice in the manufacture of such devices.

The invention consists in an attachment or finger stop and grip. Anysuitable flexible material or materials may be employed in itsmanufacture. If more than one material be used they may be united in anywell known Way. The said attachment (Figs. 1

:to 3) has a longitudinal semi-circular or hollow foundation surface l.The length of this depends upon conditions. In width it may be littleless than the width of the shaft at that portion of its length where theattachment is secured. At the upper end of the said attachment is anupper flange 5 the thickness of which will vary with circumstances. Itsheight is also of such a character as to suit the individual taste ofthe player. At the lower end of the said attachment is a lower flangeti. The thickness of this may vary as may also its height.

Extending downwardly from the lower portion OftllQ out ide of the upperflange 5 is an outwardly inclined extension 7 The length of this as alsothe inclination thereof may Vary with the club being used. The lowerextremity of the said extension may be in al nement'with the lower endof the lower flange 6 or it may extend beyond the same, or not extend tothat distance. Between the lower extremity of the said extension 7 andthe outside of the lower flange 6 is situated a transverse finger gullet8. The inside of this is formed by the outside of the said lower flange6 and the outside is formed by the inside area of the lower portion ofthe said extension 7. The root or crown 9 of the said gullet is formedwithin or by the main portion of the said extension. The contour of thesaid gullet may vary to suit the fancy of the player. Through the bodyof the said finger stop and grip and transversely situated with regardthereto and parallel with the top or crown of the gullet 8 are one ormore holes 10. Through the hole or holes 10 is passed a joining wire orcord 11 or other flexible material whereby the said attachment isattached to theexterior of the shaft. The attachment is so positionedthat the outer portion and right side of the little finger of the handbeds therein comfortably. Instead of the said attachment being securedby a binding wire 11 or the like it may be secured by an agglutinant ofany suitable character. Or it may be secured by screws 12, or by nails;or it may be bound by the thong 3 with which the handle ofthe shaft isenveloped.

Instead of securing the finger stop and grip to the handle in a fixedposition as described, it may be adjustably secured thereto. A band 13(Fig. 4) may then envelop the stick 2 and each flange of the finger stopand grip. Passing through the band 13 is a retention screw. Thisconsists of a free head 14 mounted loosely upon the inner end of athreaded shank 15. Secured to the outer endof the shank 15 is a wingedhead 16. The diameter, thickness and width oftheband may vary. It mayalso be composed of spring, elastic or, flexible material. Instead ofemploying a band to provide adjustable attaching means a strap 17 (Fig.

5) may be used having flanges or lugs 18. Passing through the flanges 18is a.clampi'ng'or holding screw 19.

Instead of the attachment beforedescribed a finger stop and grip may beused which encircles or partially encircles the shaft 2.

This finger stop andgrip (Figs. 7 to '10) consists of a body dividedinto a first section 20 and a second section 21. Each section isprovided with a semi-circular or hollow foundation surface.

holes accommodating screws 22 by which the sections are secured to theshaft 2. Integral with the body of the finger stop and grip is anoverhanging finger separator 23- provided with an overhanging edge 24.vThe length and thickness of the separator may vary. Preferably it isthicker at its inner portion than the outer edge.

The upper surface of the separator forms an upper finger bed having afirst finger joint portion 25, a second finger joint portion 26 and athird finger joint portion 27. The lower surface of the separator 23forms a lower finger bed having a first finger joint portion 28, asecond finger joint portign' 29 and a third finger joint portion 30.Formed in or upon the surface of the first section 20 is a thumb bed 31having an inclined surface of such conformation that it will comfortablyaccommodate the thumb of the player. The attachment or finger stop andgrip may be formed of any suitable material. It may be resilient or itmay be rigid.

Instead of securing thesections 20 and 21 by means of screws 22 or thelike either the band 13 or the strap 17 may be used for that purpose. Tofacilitate such attachment each sectionis provided with an upperextension-32 and a lower extension 33 the said extensions being of sucha length that Passing through or formed in each section are one or more.screw the bands or straps are free of and are not grasped by the hand.Or instead. of the attachment being formed in two sections it (Fig-13)may be formed in one piece. A

divided adjusting sleeve (Figs. 12 and 13) may then be used to secureand adjust the stop and grip upon the golf stick or club. The dividedsleeve is preferably formed of metal and comprises a first half 34 and asecond half 35 each having an upper end 36 and a lower end 37. The upperend 36 of each half is of greater thickness than the lower end therebyproviding a tapered wall to each said half of the sleeve. Expressedinwardly from each half of the sleeve are integral tongues 38. Orinstead of forming the stop and grip seen in, Figs. 7 to 10' with butone finger separator a series of superimposed separators (Fig. 14) maybe used. The body of the finger stop and grip is then tubular and may beformed in one,piece-0r divided into sections. It may be secured tothes'haftof the stick or club by either of the adjusting devices seen inFigs. 4 and 5. Or it may be screwed thereto, or be attached by a bindingwire, cord or the like. As shown in Fig. 15't-he finger stops and'gripsbefore described may be used in con unction, that illustrated in Figs. 1to. 3 being disposed above that seen in Figs. v7 to 10.

The modified 'stop and grip may be secured tothe shaft of the stick orclub by 1 no J means of wires or cords 11. bound around the said shaftand around flanges of the attachment. Or the attachment may be securedby the thong R which is bound around the shaft. Or the said stop andgrip may be secured by screws 22 or by a band such as 13 or a strap suchas 17.

With this invention a full, effective and complete control of the golfclub is secured by the player as he can grasp the shaft of the .club andinstinctively feel the position that the shaft occupies in his hands. Noattention need be given to the position the shaft occupies in the handand more attention can therefore be directed to the ball and to the holeto which it is to be directed. In action theclub cannot creep or move byaccident. In using the stop and grip seen in Fig. 1 the right side, theinside and the outside of the little finger of the hand are accommodatedbeneath the extension 7 and in the gullet 8. The inside of the fingergrips the outer surface of the lower flange 6. Asthe club is swung it isimpossible for the said club to slide in the hand as the attachmentforms a stop against which the finger bears. The position of theattachment upon the club rendered it possible for the player to graspthe stick always in the same place.

In using the stop and grip seen in Figs. 7 to 10 the right hand side ofthe first finger of the hand bears or reposes in the lower finger bedformed by the lower face of the separator 23. The inside of the fingergrasps the body of the stop and grip. The left hand side of the secondfinger of the hand rests upon the upper finger bed formed by the uppersurface of the separator 23. The separator is thus interposed betweenthe fingers. The thumb of the hand reposes in or upon the thumb bed 81.By means of this attachment not only is the shaft prevented from movingin any way in the hand but the club is always grasped positively in thesame manner. By using the stop and grip seen in Figs. 1 to 3 inconjunction with that seen in Figs. 1 to 10 the club or like device isalways grasped in the same manner and cannot slip when swung. I Havingnow described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure byLetters Patent is 1. Improvements relating to golf club attachments,consisting in the combination of a finger stop and grip provided with asemicircular longitudinal foundation surface and having an upper flangeand a lower flange,

. a downwardly inclined extension projecting from said stop and gripbetween said flanges and forming a finger gullet, and means for fixedlysecuring the stop and grip to the golf club.

2. Improvements relating to golf club attachments, consisting in thecombination of a'finger stop and grip provided with a semicircularlongitudinal foundation. surface and havmg an upper flange and a lowerflange, a downwardly inclined extension projecting from said stop andgrip between said flanges and forming a finger gullet, and means foradjustably securing the stop and grip to the golf club.

3. Improvements relating to golf club attachments, consisting in thecombination of a stop and grip having longitudinal semicircularfoundation surface, an upper flange ,and a lower flange to said stop andgrip, an inclined extension pro ecting from said stop and grip betweensaid flanges and forming a finger gullet, a band securing said stop andgrip to the golf club, and a retention screw passing through said band.

4. Improvements relating to golf club attachments, consisting of thecombination of a fingerstop and grip provided with a longitudinalsemi-circular foundation surface and having an upper flange and a lowerflange, a downwardly inclined extension projecting from said stop andgrip between said.

flanges and forming a finger gullet, a strap securing said stop and gripto the golf club, lugs projecting from said strap, and a holding screwpassing through said lugs.

5. Improvements relating to golf. club attachments, consisting of thecombination of.

a divided-finger stop and grip each section being provided with asemi-circular foundation surface and having an overhanging fin gerseparator provided with upper and lower finger beds, and means forsecuring the stop and grip to the golf club.

6. Improvements relating to golf club attachments, consisting of afinger stop and grip having a firstsection and a second section eachprovided with a semi-circular foundation surface, an overhanging fingerseparator projecting from said stop and grip and forming an upper fingerbed and a lower finger bed, each bed having a first finger jointportion, a second finger joint portion and a third finger joint portion,and a thumb bed formed in said grip. v

7 Improvements relating to golf club attachments, consisting of thecombination of a finger stop and grip provided with a first section anda second section, an upper extension and a lower extension to eachsection, an overhanging finger separator projecting from said stop andgrip and providing an upper finger bed and alower finger bed, a thumbbed formed in said grip and an adjusting device encircling theextensions' and securing the stop and grip to the golf club.

8. Improvements relating to golf club attachments consisting of thecombination of a finger stop and grip provided with a first section anda second section, an upper exjecting from said stop and grip andproviding an upper finger bed and a lower finger each device comprisinga strap having lugs, 20

lugs.

bed, a thumb bed formed in said grip, and adjusting devices for securingthe stop and grip to the golf club by encircling the extensions, eachdevice comprising a band carrying a retention screw. I

9. Improvements relating to golf club attachments, consisting of thecombination of j a finger stop and grip provided with a first sectionand a second section, an upper eXtenand a holding screw passing throughthe 10. Improvements relating to golf club attachments consisting inthe'combination of a finger stop and grip having an overhanging fingerseparator forming an upper finger bed and a lower finger bed, a thumbbed formed in said stop and grip, a divided with a .golfclub or stick ofa finger stop and grip, an overhanglng finger separator pro-" jectingfrom said stop and grip and forming an upper finger bed and a lowerfinger bed, athumb bed formed: in said stop and grip, a finger stop andgrip above the protruding separators and consisting of an up- .per'flange and alower flange, and a downwardly inclined extension projectingfrom said grip between said flanges and forming a transversefingerigullet.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

EDXVARD GEQRGE MORLEY. Witnesses:

.EDWIN PHILLIPS,

ALAN MCEACHEN.

